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Reading, River Plate may join Korea's Peace Cup

English Premier League club Reading look set to compete in the Peace Cup in South Korea. The Evening Post revealed that the Royals are close to agreeing to play in the tournament which takes part every two years. River Plate, Argentina’s most successful club side, are certain to play, while runaway Serie A leaders Inter Milan are thought to be in discussions. There will also be another Premiership club involved although Spurs, who have been in discussions about defending their trophy, are unable to commit at the present time. Reading's South Korea international Seol Ki-Hyeon is acknowledged as one of his country’s most popular footballers along with Manchester United’s Park Ji-Sung and Tottenham Hotspur’s Lee Young-Pyo.

The tournament, sanctioned by FIFA and the South Korea Football Association, is made up of two groups of four with the winners of each group meeting in the final. The Peace Cup champions can earn in excess of US$2 million while the runners-up net around US$500,000.

Dates and venues have yet to be finalised but it has been reported that the tournament could run from 12-20 July in direct competition to the Asian Football Confederation's prestigious Asian Cup being played in South East Asia. With South Korea a hot favourite for the Cup Final, it was thought that the national stars would be representing their country in that event rather than a club pre-season promotion.